A sizable Senior Day crowd of 2,176 watched the Washington University football team suffer a disappointing 27-0 loss to the visiting University of Chicago Saturday at Francis Field.

The Bears squandered a number of key chances offensively and the Maroons took advantage of four University turnovers in gaining their first win of the season. With the win, the Maroons also regained the coveted Founder’s Cup for the first time since 2000. The University falls to 2-4 on the season with the defeat. It was the first time the Bears have lost a University Athletic Association contest in nearly five years, snapping a 15-game in-league winning streak. Their last UAA came from U. Chicago on Oct. 28, 2000.

The previously winless Maroons quickly proved that their record belied their ability. Thanks to some exceptional running by Chicago tailback Nick Schey, UC went on a scoring drive on their first possession and took a quick lead. Schey accounted for 58 of Chicago’s 69 total yards on the ten-play drive. It was receiver Mike Dawson, however, who got the glory. UC Quarterback Matt Rinklin found his receiver for a seven-yard touchdown strike on third-and-goal with 4:55 remaining in the opening quarter. The subsequent point after attempt failed and the Maroons had an early 6-0 lead.

A University sack by junior Drew Wethington and senior Drew Martin and a weak, 26-yard punt by Chicago gave the Bears strong field possession and a chance to tie or take the lead in the early going. University junior quarterback Nick Henry found star receiver, senior Brad Duesing, for a 12-yard pickup. Then, two plays later, he connected with junior George Abell for a 12-yard gain. After a small gain by junior running back DaRonne Jenkins, the Bears held possession on the Chicago 25-yard line and looked like they were in solid position to tie the game.

But back-to-back incomplete passes by Henry brought up a difficult 4th and seven. The Bears gambled and went for it, but Henry was intercepted and Chicago defensive back Colin Carrier took the pick 65 yards all the way down to the Bear 17-yard line.

The University was presented with another picture-perfect scoring opportunity early in the second quarter. On the Maroons’ first play from scrimmage in the second quarter, Schey coughed up the football and University junior linebacker Matt Balthazar pounced on it. The Bears took over possession at the UC 27-yard line. Just four plays later, though, senior Heath Hunter fumbled the football at the Chicago 4-yard line and Chicago’s Tom Miller recovered, as the Maroons narrowly avoided the prospects of a tie score.

The UAA rivals traded possession for the remainder of the half, with no possession for either team exceeding 3:30. Despite gaining just 23 total yards on the ground, University headed into halftime trailing just 6-0.

Henry found sophomore WR Dan Cardone for a 38-yard gain to excitingly open the second half. A 15-yard, roughing the passer penalty by UC brought the ball all the way down to the Chicago 21-yard line and the Bears again looked poised to tie or take the lead. Consecutive incomplete passes by Henry on third and fourth down, however, gave the ball back to the visitors.

Perhaps buoyed by the solid play of their defense, the Maroon offense struck quickly in the third frame. On their fourth play from scrimmage, Rinklin found Schey who ran 67 yards to the end zone, giving Chicago a decisive 12-0 lead. The kick was good and with 11:42 remaining in the quarter, Chicago led 13-0.

The University defense prevented Chicago from expanding the lead when sophomore Mike Eliot recovered a Maroon fumble at the Bear 17-yard line. The recovery was all for naught however, as Henry threw his second interception of the game on the very next play. Just like the first one, this one was intercepted by Chicago’s Colin Carrier who caught it and was tackled at the UC 41-yard line.

The ever-so-tough Bear defense held strong yet again, holding UC to a field goal attempt, which was blocked. After the blocked kick, the Bears regained possession at their own six-yard line.

Yet again, Henry couldn’t find his receivers and threw an interception on the first play of the drive. Chicago QB Rinklin hooked up with Dawson on the very next play for a 38-yard touchdown strike. The kick was good and with 00:13 left in the third, the Bears trailed 20-0.

Chicago’s Chuck Little ran in a three-yard score with 6:35 left in the ballgame, as the Maroons began an early celebration on the sidelines knowing the Founder’s cup would be headed back north. The kick was good, giving UC an insurmountable 27-0 lead, rounding out the scoring on the afternoon.

The University falls to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in the UAA with the loss. They begin the first of four straight road games next Saturday when they face UAA opponent Case Western Reserve University on the road in Cleveland, Ohio on Sat., Oct. 15.

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